SANTIAGO: Lionel Messi’s Argentina will face holders Uruguay while Brazil will meet Colombia in the group phase at the 2015 Copa America in Chile following Monday’s draw.
World Cup runners-up Argentina, top seeds in Group B in which they will also meet Paraguay and Jamaica, were beaten on penalties in the quarter-finals at the 2011 event by Uruguay.
Brazil, with the gifted Neymar as captain, will be looking to recover from their disappointing World Cup as hosts this year. They also face Peru and Venezuela in Group C.
Hosts Chile were joined in Group A by Mexico, Ecuador and Bolivia at the draw in the Chilean Pacific coast resort of Vina del Mar.
Uruguay, who hold a record 15 Copa America titles, will be without striker Luis Suarez at the June 11-July 4 tournament owing to his nine-match FIFA ban from competitive internationals for biting an opponent at the World Cup.
Suarez contributed to Uruguay’s 3-0 victory over Paraguay in the 2011 final in Buenos Aires in a tournament that also saw 2004 and 2007 champions Brazil knocked out in the quarter-finals.
Chile fancy their chances of winning the trophy for the first time after their fine World Cup in which they almost eliminated Brazil in the last 16 but they can expect a tough challenge from Mexico in their group.
“It’s hard to see a (title) candidate today... Let’s hope that in this Copa America recent history, which has turned out to be complicated for the host team, is reversed,” Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli told reporters.
Colombia, led by playmaker and top scorer James Rodriguez were also impressive in the World Cup where they lost to Brazil in the last eight, will be looking to win the title for the second time.
The tournament has since the early 1990s been expanded from the 10 nations of the South American CONMEBOL conference to 12 with guest teams usually from North and Central America’s CONCACAF region.
Mexico have been regular participants and twice reached the final but Jamaica are taking part for the first time. --REUTERS